The day is going so well, you’ve been to the park and had a lovely lunch, then suddenly, your toddler wants another ice-cream which you won’t give him, and you’re in the middle of tantrum city.
Tantrum is the word for the sudden crying, screaming and angry behaviour that 2-3 year olds often go through, especially if they can’t get something they want, or they don’t want to do something you ask.
Toddler have tantrums, or you can say ‘throw a tantrum’. You can also say
- he is throwing/having a fit
- she is having a meltdown
- he’s throwing/having a hissy fit
- she’s throwing a wobbly
- he’s making a scene.
Although we use these words for toddlers, they can also be used for adults who behave in a childish way too.